Let’s talk about all those petitions that the LGBT community delivered to Sen. Bob Casey. If you haven’t followed the story in PGN, let me give you a recap.
There’s legislation in the U.S. Senate to repeal the Defense of Marriage law. That law at present keeps legally married same-sex couples from receiving any of the benefits the U.S. government gives to married opposite-sex couples. Among them are filing joint federal taxes, Social Security benefits, estate taxes and even immigration rights — some 1,100 rights in all.
So the petitioners asked Sen. Casey to sign on as a co-sponsor of the repeal bill, the Respect for Marriage Act, since he has not yet done so.
While that would be great, it would only be symbolic since the legislation is dead on arrival. While it is possible that the legislation could pass the Democratic-controlled Senate, does anyone really expect it to pass the other body, the Republican-controlled House?
Symbolism is great, but let’s not forget that Casey, a proven friend of our community, is up for re-election, and we in Philadelphia and other cities with concentrations of LGBT community and organizations forget that between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh is a vast conservative state.
Remember this is the state that elected Rick Santorum and, just last year, Pat Toomey to the U.S. Senate. Add in that this year is going to be a tough year for incumbents and that Pennsylvania has an energized tea party base and it spells trouble. Why give our friend any more baggage by asking him to support legislation that is D.O.A. and can only be used as fuel by the right wingers in Pennsylvania?
Let’s not downplay this that legislation is very important and an issue of equality, but we need Casey to be there to vote for the legislation when it comes to the Senate floor either now, which is improbable, or next term.
Mark Segal, PGN publisher, is the nation’s most-award-winning commentator in LGBT media. He can be reached at [email protected].